Liverpool Transfer News: Players Brendan Rodgers Should Target in January

Eight summer signings are not enough, it seems, for Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers, who has already confirmed he will head back into the transfer market come January, according to Pete O’Rourke of Sky Sports.

Rodgers signed a goalkeeper, three centre-backs, a left-back, midfielder, winger and striker during an incredible window for the red half of Merseyside. However, the Liverpool boss says he is not ready to settle:

We've done great business over the course of the summer - and we'll run with that until January and see where we're at then.

I'm sure we'll look to strengthen again and finish off the second part of the season like we did last season.

Rodgers gave his side a huge boost in last term’s January window, signing Philippe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge ahead of a climax to the season that saw them lose only one of 12 games.

The Liverpool boss has signalled his intent to give his team another injection of quality in five months’ time, so which players should the Reds target?

Marc-Andre ter Stegen

Liverpool need competition for Simon Mignolet, and Brad Jones simply is not the man to provide it.

Borussia Monchengladbach hold the key, with 21-year-old Germany international Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who has been dubbed the “new Oliver Kahn” by Goal.com.

Already highly rated across Europe, Barcelona are credited with an interest in the youngster, so Liverpool would likely face a fight for his signature. However, a January raid could catch fellow pursuers out.

Ter Stegen has already outshone Manuel Neuer in his embryonic career, ruining the Bayern Munich keeper’s debut by producing a standout performance in a 1-0 win.

Monchengladbach will struggle to match ter Stegen’s ambition for much longer, finishing eighth last season and currently sitting seventh after four games of this campaign. Rodgers will hope his team are competing for Champions League football come January, which would help lure such a sought-after talent.

As a backup option, Shay Given remains a reliable prospect for Liverpool, although his age (37) and salary are major obstacles.

Deni Hocko

Without a shadow of doubt, Liverpool need cover for the holding midfield position currently occupied by Lucas Leiva. The once-maligned Brazil international has made a sparkling start to the season, contributing heavily to three clean sheets.

But he does have a medical history.

The 2011-12 campaign, when Lucas damaged an anterior cruciate ligament, should be enough warning to Liverpool that they need cover in his absence.

And it doesn’t need to be a like-for-like option. Liverpool have missed a deep-lying passing influence since Xabi Alonso left the club, and Hocko has been dubbed the “new Andrea Pirlo.”

Currently plying his trade at Buducnost Podgorica in Montenegro, Hocko has played—and impressed—for Montenegro Under-21s and would not arrive at Anfield expecting an immediate first-team place.

Alternatively, if Liverpool want a more seasoned midfielder to break up play, West Brom’s Claudio Yacob is one of the best at his trade in the Premier League.

Arda Turan

For now, the loan of Victor Moses has boosted Rodgers' wide options in attack, but after the bold pursuit of Willian it is clear Liverpool plan to spend big on a top-class creator in the future.

Arda Turan of Atletico Madrid is one of the most underrated players in Europe.

Fluid on the ball and able to drift in from the left or play more centrally, Turan has scored one goal and created two more in his two league appearances this season. Across his career, he has had a hand in 161 goals in 308 appearances and, at the age of 26, is entering his peak years.